Collonista Snail
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Specific Name: Collonista spp.
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Diet: Herbivore – biofilm, diatoms, microalgae
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Pest or Good Guy: ✅ Good Guy
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Size: Tiny – 1–4 mm
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Breed in Captivity: Yes – commonly seen breeding in healthy reef tanks
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Cautions: None – but may be mistaken for baby turbo or pest snails
Description:
Collonista snails are miniature marvels that often hitchhike into reef tanks on live rock or coral plugs. These tiny, spiral-shelled snails are completely harmless and beneficial, grazing on microscopic algae and biofilm in hard-to-reach areas. They’re especially useful in nano tanks or systems with low-level algae issues. They reproduce readily in stable reef environments, often forming small colonies on glass or rocks at night. Some reefers worry about overpopulation, but they rarely reach nuisance levels and naturally regulate based on available food. If you see a cluster of pinhead-sized snails with perfectly formed spiral shells — congrats, you’ve got Collonistas!